Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1887-06-02
A HI MAN HOLOCAUST.
Heart Rendins Scenes at the Ruins OF
the Paris Opera Comique, TWEEN
t. Bodies Taken Out.
Fears That Hundreds Persisted in the
Blazing Building. Stories Told
by Survivors.

PARIS, May 27.-The scenes at the ruins
Of the Opera COmique this morning we're
heartrendipg. a strong military Gordon
encompassed the ruins of the burned
structure. Outside the Gordon were crowds
Of excited people crying, wringiBg their
hands, and calling aloud the names of
missing relatives or friends. Many bodies
OF ballet dancers have already been taken
ont. Their remains were found lying in
heaps. The hremen assert that num-
Der OF bodies are lying in the upper gal
leries. The deaths, it * now stated, will
greatly exceed all previous estimates. 1t
is now feared that hendricks are in the
blazing ruins. The authorities, however,
profess to believe that not over fifty will
be on the death roll. Twenty bodies
have already been taken out. Two are
those OF singers, eight Of supers and one
Is OF q little girl shockingly scorched.
The police estimate that about one hun
dred and ten persons were more or less
b1rned or otherwise in jured. Although the
ruins we're smoking and still quite not,
the work of searching for victims was
begun this morning. Very slow progress,
however, is being made
Prem those who escaped from the
flames the following details of the catas-
trophe we're CLEANED today 1t was be-
tween and 3 o'clock, during the first
act eff 'Mignon." when the stage was
crowded with ballet girls, that something
went wrong With a row of gas jets which
crosses the top Of the stage. Immediate
ly the hanging scenes caught fire. Some
of the audience Immediately quilted the
theater. Those who got out first say there
was no panic, but after they left the
scene was fearful one. The frightened
ballet girls jumped into the body of the
hall and tried TO rush for thu doors.
Soon after 9 O'Clock all the houses in the
streets around we're ordered to turn out
their gas to avoid an explosion. The
police guarded the various approaches.
About 10 O'Clock bodies were handed out
OF the upper stories Of the gutted build
ing. Some gendsrmes, who we're in the
upper galleries, say that when they escap-
ed there were about hundred people in
the gallery. Most likely they escaped TO
the roof The survivors throw the blame
OF the calamity upon the gasman. This
cannot be decided. The iron curtain,
which might have delayed the progress OF
the flames, either would not work or no
attempt vas made 70 work it in the pre-
ysiling panic. The whole house was in a
blaze IN ten minutes. The stage stair
case was the first TO be destroyed
man and q woman in the fourth gallery
leaped into theRue Fayart ard were killed.
Some people in their mad terror leaped
on 10 the glass shelter over the central
door and were shockingly cut. Four
women were hUddled together in the body
Of the theater, where they had died of
suffocation. Some ladies were found
dead in the stage boxes. The fremeu
worked nobly. Unfortunately there we're
some deaths among them. A private fell
from a wall into the middle OF the blazing
mass, while a corporal met with q similar
fate.
In the first scene during the waltz,
sain Saiecroix. the first bssso. to-day,
every one on the stage saw two chorus
singers look up. In rising the head We
saw a fly burning. Not wishing TO give
alarm l dragged Mile. Mergulller, who
was playing to the front Of the stage, and
said.
Ladies and gentlemen, don't be
alarmed. There is no danger. The
audience. however. seeing the IRE, rushed
for the door. The panic OF the audience
was increased by the ladies in baignoire
No. shrieking. The house holds 1000
and was nearly full. There were $50 in the
upper galleries, who shrieked in terror.
There was a terrible scrimmage 1t each
exit. Women holding their children over
their heads we're overcome 10y the smoke
and tram Piled on. an the light went out,
and, except when there was an explosion
of gas, all was burning in darkn ass"
Salecroix escaped By the window OF the
lodge by rope and fell upon the glass
shelter over the door. His face was Gov
cred With blood. All the actors escaped
with great difficulty Nile. Assally, the
first danseUss, was nssrly sufocated.
There was nc time 70 change dresses.
They barly escaped With their lives.
The scenes at the confagration were
indescribable. The red glare in the sky
attracted people from all parts OF the
city. Thousands blocked the exit of the
comique and added TO the horror of the
situation. Never before was such neor-
ism witnessed as was displayed By the
fremen. They clambered about like hies
amid the sparks and roaring flames. and
imperiled their own lives freely 10 save
the terror-stricken multitudes who we're
fchting their Eay out of the blazing
tnegter,
The Opera Cor7ique was devoted 70 the
lesser operas. such as "Le Dame Blanche,
The position De Loujumeau,' Fra
Diavol0" etc Il received an annual sab
sidy from government. and seated $500
people The house vas always favor
tie place OF amusement with the Paris
ians. The music vas generally light sud
q y &
such serious attention as DO the
other heavier pieces played az
The Grand Opera. feature connected
with il was thst ladies were not admitted
in the orchestra stalles7 known here as
parquet seats.
Mary Anderson and th, Ghost
Brookyn ESgls.
1 met a friend Of Mary Anderson az